The onset of the destructive autoimmune joint disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is preceded by the development of autoantibodies to multiple citrullinated proteins. Research has now shown that citrullination modifies antigen processing, resulting in the production of cryptic epitopes, suggesting a new model for RA autoantibody development.
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Roudier, J., Auger, I. How does citrullination contribute to RA autoantibody development?. Nat Rev Rheumatol 19, 329–330 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-023-00959-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-023-00959-9
